Latest Blog Posts

09/03/2009/20/24

It’s time to stop the retail loss Page 5

Right about now the retail world is grappling with a range of issues. There’s the ongoing challenge of Covid-19, evolving technology, and changing consumer habits. All of these have the potential to impact the retail bottom line.

However, unlike the above issues which by and large are beyond retailer’s control, one area where retailers can guard their profits and protect the bottom line is via loss prevention. And the reality is there’s never been a better time to stop the loss.

The four areas of loss

Estimated to wipe on average 1.62 per cent from every retailers’ bottom line, loss (or shrink) comes from four main areas:

Shoplifting
Employee theft
Supplier fraud
Administrative error and miscellaneous loss

The good news is all of these areas can be monitored and strategically targeted to improve that all-important bottom line.

So, let’s dive right in, looking at where your loss might be occurring…

Shoplifting

Estimated to account for between 30 and 40 per cent of all retail loss, shoplifting is the first suspect to consider when tackling retail loss.

Last year US retailers again reported a rise in shoplifting, with its increase an ongoing trend.

Targeting shoplifting

Targeting shoplifting involves a multi-pronged approach.

It includes:

Product level protection like security tags and electronic article surveillance
Storewide protection like CCTV, security guards, and burglar alarms
Store design, with a focus on good lighting, and store visibility from the Point of Sale
Staff training to identify the signs of shoplifting and a customer service ethos that encourages staff interaction with consumers

Employee theft

Employee theft continues to rank as the second most common reason for loss in-store, with one in 50 employees stealing from their employer in 2019.

Targeting employee theft

Employee theft is managed through clear policies and procedures, a positive workplace culture and stringent hiring practices.

This involves:

Screening all potential employees and seeking out references
Education on the repercussions and impacts of employee theft
mPOS software that requires each staff member to individually log into the Point of Sale
Management supervision
A workplace culture where employees feel valued for what they do

Supplier fraud

Although far less common than either shoplifting or employee theft, supplier fraud can and does play a role in retail loss.

Targeting supplier fraud

Protecting your store against supplier fraud comes down to implementing the right systems and procedures to immediately identify any loss.

This extends to:

Inventory reconciliation
RFID tagging at the point of manufacture to track stock
Clear systems and procedures on stock delivery

Administrative error and miscellaneous loss

Like supplier fraud, administrative error and miscellaneous loss is far less common than theft-related shrink, but even simple mistakes can impact the bottom line.

Targeting admin error and miscellaneous loss

The trouble with administrative error and miscellaneous loss is that it can be harder to identify than other causes of shrink. That said, combatting it often corresponds with good store management.

This includes:

Regular stock taking using tools like RFID
The cross-checking and reconciliation of orders
Clear policies and procedures for handling stock, storing it, and putting it on display
Security tools like lockable cabinets and drawers
Clear assignment of roles and responsibilities in store

There’s never been a better time

With 2020 serving up some tough operating conditions for retailers across the USA, there’s never been a better time to tighten up a store’s loss prevention strategies, and the benefits of doing so could be significant.

Last year, retail loss cost the sector a jaw dropping $61.7 billion and right about now, that’s a profit no retailer can afford to lose.

You can learn more about our range of security tags here, and browse our security labels here.

08/27/2009/20/24

Tackling the increase in aggressive customers Page 5

There’s little doubt Covid-19 has resulted in rising tension levels and increased stress at every level of society, but few industries have borne the brunt quite so much as retail.

Since the pandemic first began, retail staff have been forced to cope with panic buying, increased hygiene concerns, a rise in shoplifting and theft, and recent heightened racial tensions.

So how can retailers handle aggressive customers and what strategies should they put in place?

Society on edge

In many ways 2020 has served up the perfect storm for the retail sector. As Covid-19 became a daily headline, products were in high demand. Panic buying became the norm as people became increasingly stressed about their health, general hygiene, their finances, and their lifestyle.

Overnight the retail sector was turned on its head, being asked to implement social distancing restrictions and rules on mask wearing at the same time as serving customers who were desperate to secure the products they needed.

As Business Insider noted earlier this year, it saw cashiers effectively become police, overseeing customers who were becoming frustrated and turning their wrath towards staff.

“In 30 plus years of studying retail and crisis situations, we have never seen a situation of customers being so rude to hourly employees,” Larry Barton, a professor of crisis management and public safety at the University of Central Florida, told the publication.

So how can retail manage the issue of aggressive customers at a time when stress levels continue to remain high?

Clear communication

aggressive customers - Please wear a mask sign in shopping mall entrance

Whether it’s policy on mask wearing or rules on acceptable customer behaviour, nipping aggression in the bud starts with clear communication from the retailer.

What do you expect from your customer in-store? And what happens if they fail to adhere to these guidelines?

Often this clear communication starts with simple strategies like signage that indicate the store policy on mask wearing, social distancing guidelines, and also points out that rude behaviour will not be tolerated.

It can also extend to further initiatives. For example, in Australia, a new campaign has rolled out where grocery staff wear badges reminding patrons that staff members are also mothers, daughters, fathers and sons.

Entitled the ‘No-one deserves a serve’ campaign, it’s specifically designed to remind customers there’s a real person with real feelings currently serving them.

Effective training

Diffusing tense situations is an art and often one retail staff are unprepared for. In 2013, a research report by the University of British Columbia noted employees who expect to encounter rude customers at work react far less strongly than employees who normally enjoy good customer relations, but who face unexpected rudeness.

That makes training paramount, with staff given education on techniques like:

Staying calm
Not taking the situation personally
Active listening
Conflict resolution
Problem solving
Assertion

Increased security

In high-stress times like the present there is also a role for increased security in-store, and this can take on a variety of forms.

For example, security guards can assist with ensuring customers meet their obligations in terms of behaviour and policy, while CCTV can act as a deterrent to problematic behaviour.

Critically retailers should also be implementing available technology to address activities like shoplifting, which often goes hand in hand with aggressive behaviour.

In fact, many loss prevention strategies overlap with the techniques used to mitigate aggression.

These include:

Staff education
Good store layout
Stellar customer service
Clear policy and signage
Product protection (such as EAS security tags and labels)
Storewide security like CCTV and loss prevention personnel

You can learn more about strategies to improve the security of your store here

08/21/2009/20/24

Loss prevention at the Point of Sale Page 5

As the place where transactions take place, the Point of Sale is a pivotal to loss prevention. Not only is it the station where staff cast a watchful gaze over the floor, it’s also the potential site of employee theft and consumer fraud.

Here’s a guide to improving loss prevention at the Point of Sale.

Central positioning

The Point of Sale requires careful positioning to ensure it is accessible to customers looking to make a transaction and is also centrally located to allow staff to monitor the floor and additional areas such as changerooms.

For staff, it should be spacious enough to accommodate the tools they need, such as a register, cash drawer and barcode scanner, and should be easy to exit and enter, while still indicating this is an arena for employees only.

Easy exit and entry ensure staff can come out from behind the POS to assist customers when required.

Mobile POS

Mobile Point of Sale assists with both customer service and loss prevention. It allows staff to move freely on the floor, while still making sales, and cutting customer time spent in the queue.

Meanwhile, mobile POS can also assist with loss prevention because it ensures staff can be where they need to be, meeting and greeting clientele while facilitating sales.

Software to measure and manage

point of sale loss prevention - POS software

The POS is key to measuring exactly where loss in-store is occurring. Sales reports and inventory software can help identify trends such as items that are missing, along with peak periods which might be more prone to theft.

This software can also assist in identifying employee theft and customer fraud, by highlighting trends in gift card sales, returns and exchanges, and offering information about who is on duty at that time.

CCTV

CCTV that monitors both the store and the Point of Sale serves to reduce both shoplifting and staff theft. When CCTV is obvious and clearly labelled it acts as a deterrent, while also serving to identify perpetrators.

Staff training

Staff training is imperative to reducing loss throughout a retail outlet, and much of this training relates to the Point of Sale.

Store policies and procedures set parameters for exchanges and returns, while also fostering secure cash management skills, accountability, good customer service, and employee expectations.

These in turn help minimize miscellaneous loss, shoplifting and employee theft.

EAS handling

The Point of Sale is inextricably linked with loss prevention strategies like electronic article surveillance. For example, the POS should have a line of sight to EAS antenna so staff can quickly be alerted to an alarm and see exactly what’s occurring.

Meanwhile, the POS is the place where security labels are deactivated, and security tags are removed.

Store management should ensure there are sufficient detachers for tags available, so staff can seamlessly remove tags at the POS as part of the sales transaction.

These detachers should also be secured so they are not the target of theft, while it’s important to note accurate and consistent tag detaching helps mitigate false EAS alarms.

When it comes to label deactivators, these should be positioned with the barcode scanner, so the transaction is registered, and the label is deactivated in one maneuver. This reduces time spent at the POS while also improving EAS accuracy.

You can learn more about strategies to improve loss prevention in store here, or contact our friendly staff to order your security tags and labels here.

08/14/2009/20/24

Five simple steps for smarter loss prevention Page 5

These days retailers have a wealth of tools available to them when it comes to understanding where loss is occurring and how it can be combatted.

But while the tools and data abound, how do you best employ them? What are the small steps you need to take to make the giant leap towards securing your bottom line?

Well, that’s a $61.7 billion question the retail sector frequently asks. So, here are the steps to smarter loss prevention.

Measure to manage

In order to understand your loss, you need to measure it. That means understanding whether you are losing products in the supply chain, via shoplifting, through internal theft, or due to error.

Tools that tell you this information include stock takes, inventory reconciliation on delivery, Point of Sale data, and more, but the reality is retailers are gathering data every minute of every day.

From sales reports to inventory counting, this data paints a picture, but there’s also more to look for than just what’s going missing.

This includes gathering information about when your store is busiest and therefore more likely to be prone to theft, who’s on duty during that time, when products might be more likely to go missing, or the types of products that are more prone to loss.

Traffic counting can assist with this as can tools such as RFID inventory counting, which enables retailers to accurately count inventory within a matter of minutes.

Together, this data paints a picture of the leaks that need to be plugged.

Set KPIs

Once you know what’s actually occurring in terms of loss, a retailer should say Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to really get specific about combatting shrink.

These KPIs assist by helping you home in further on what’s happening in a bid to find the right tools to address it.

Loss prevention KPIs might include:

EAS alarms by hour

EAS alarms by traffic

The tag deactivation success rate (as in how often staff fail to detach a tag or deactivate a label)

Organized retail crime events

Inventory inaccuracies

Staff access to cabinets and displays versus loss

Gift card and return activity per staff member

And more

Set policies

In a bid to meet these KPIs, systems and procedures should be employed in-store. These will encompass areas like what to look for in terms of shoplifting, return and gift card policies, customer service procedures, stock counting routines etc.

They will also extend to EAS system checks and appropriate application and deactivation of EAS security tags and labels.

All these policies and procedures help establish an accountable expectation in-store that works to eliminate human error. They also serve to set an expectation for staff behaviour when it comes to reducing loss.

Deploy technology

Loss prevention technology continually evolves and improves, meaning there are now more effective tools available than ever before when it comes to mitigating loss.

EAS is an obvious example here as one of the most popular theft prevention methods, and like all technology, it requires regular upgrades.

Retailers should revisit their EAS systems on a regular basis to determine whether stronger tags might be required, whether additional tools like EAS in the fitting room needs to be employed, or whether the right tag or label is being used for the right product.

Other tools that can assist include RFID, which enables a store to track product location and information in real-time, higher resolution CCTV to identify thieves, mobile POS with detailed analytics, and smart keys which are allocated to specific staff members allowing retailers to track who opens cabinets and drawers.

Rinse and repeat

Once a retailer has worked through each of these steps, the circle begins again in a bid to further combat loss.

Any loss still occurring should be measured, new KPIs should be set, fresh systems introduced, and further technology deployed to assist.

The reality is loss prevention is a constant work in progress which evolves over time. The retailers with the best success at mitigating loss consistently revise their approach. They regularly upgrade operations in response to a changing landscape and appreciate that what worked one year ago may need improvement the next.

You can learn more about our range of security tags here, or labels here. Meanwhile, further information about reducing theft and loss instore is available here.

08/04/2009/20/24

Social values matter in retail Page 5

US consumers now trust brands more than the government, according to research published by the National Retail Federation.

The finding opens up a wealth of opportunity for retailers looking to connect with a consumer who is increasingly making decisions based on social values.

Here’s what the research found and how it impacts retailers.

Social values matter in a time of uncertainty

The recent study, which was conducted by GfK, highlights how consumer values are shifting in a time of great uncertainty.

COVID-19 coupled with social issues like Black Lives Matter are seeing consumers vote with their wallets when it comes to the brands they trust and choose to buy from.

The study found there was a mounting sense of social responsibility across the US, with social tolerance and equality among the areas experiencing a rapid rise, while Americans are increasingly aware and concerned about social and economic inequality.

And when it comes to the issues that matter, consumers now trust brands to tell the truth more than they do the government.

68 per cent of survey respondents feel there is less sense of community than a decade ago
35 per cent of people trust brands to tell them the truth
25 per cent of people trust the government to tell them the truth

Meanwhile, 74 per cent of people agreed the way a company or business conducted themselves during issues such as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests impacted whether they would do business with them in the future. A further 59 per cent noted they had seen brands doing good during this period.

Confirming an ongoing trend

The GfK research opens up an interesting conversation about the power of social values in retail, and it builds on further studies of the importance of conscious consumerism.

Long before COVID and BLM, research firm Nielsen flagged the power of appealing to consumer values.

In 2018, for example, they noted half of all Americans would change their consumption habits if they felt it could reduce their impact on the environment.

Labelling it ‘the year of the conscious consumer’, they found the trend was reflected in Baby Boomers, Millennials and Gen X alike. That said, technology-savvy Millennials, were more adamant in their push.

Their research also found this consciously-driven consumerism delivered real value, with 80 per cent of millennials stating they would pay more for products that have social responsibility claims.

What does that mean for retailers?

For retailers, the rising importance of social values opens up an opportunity to have an authentic conversation with your customer.

The NRF explains: “This is a critical moment for brands to step up and reconsider both their internal practices and their external messaging”.

Outlining the three key areas where retailers can focus on this, they note brands should communicate:

How they are supporting employees
What they are doing to promote a diverse workforce
Specific actions to address racial tensions and inequality

Authenticity and transparency

With less trust in institutions like government, brands are increasingly stepping up to fill a void in people’s lives.

And the way they conduct themselves in social and environmental areas is being scrutinised closely.

That means retailers need to be more authentic and transparent across the board – from how they run their workforce to where they source their products and what’s involved in the manufacturing.

Retailers and brands who embrace this new trend build a relationship of trust with their consumer. And with trust comes loyalty – which is the foundation of long-term business success.

07/30/2009/20/24

More than apparel protection – The other uses for security tags Page 5

When it comes to electronic article surveillance, people most often associate security tags with protecting clothing from theft.

And it’s true, in the past, apparel protection was indeed a popular use for security tags.

But over the years the design and technology of security tags has extended to encompass far more than just clothing, and now they can be applied to bottle tops, eyewear, electronics, fashion accessories and so much more.

So, let’s look to the other uses for security tags and how they’ve come to protect far more than apparel.

A little history

When it comes to electronic article surveillance, people most often associate security tags with protecting clothing from theft.

And it’s true, in the past, apparel protection was indeed a popular use for security tags.

So, let’s look to the other uses for security tags and how they’ve come to protect far more than apparel.

Popular option for apparel

The simple design of security tags makes them a natural loss prevention strategy for apparel. Each tag features a transmitter which communicates with an antenna at the entryway of the store.

The tag is affixed to clothing via a pin that passes through the item and locks into the transmitter housing.

Easy to attach, the system provides a simple and effective option for protecting clothing. Tags can also be quickly removed at the point of sale using a specialised detacher and then re-used.

Over the years, however, innovation and design refinements have enabled the security tag to protect far more than just clothing.

Lanyards and cables

The addition of lanyards and cables allows security tags to be affixed to products including fashion accessories, handbags, and even shoes.

This simple fixture sees the cable lock into the tag where the transmitter is housed and offers a wealth of flexibility in terms of products it can be applied to.

Importantly, the lanyard or cable removes the need for a pin to pass through a product, making this method ideal for high-value products made of materials like leather.

Liquor bottles and eyewear

In addition to hard tags, lanyards and cables, security tags have also been developed for specific purposes.

These include tags which protect liquor, eyewear, and even baby formula from theft.

For example, liquor bottle tags affix to the cap of a bottle and stop the product being stolen or consumed in-store, while optical tags grip firmly onto the arm of eyewear, but are small enough not to interfere with the customer experience of the product.

Spider wraps

Another innovation of the security tag is the spider wrap, which sees expandable cables wrap around a product then lock into a tag. The tag sounds an alarm when a product is being removed from a store or when the cables are tampered with.

Security labels

Meanwhile, EAS has also evolved to include security labels, which are often used for low value, high volume products.

These work on the same principle as security tags, but are deactivated, rather than detached at the point of sale, and are used to protect products like books, CDs, pharmaceuticals and more.

For more information on finding the right tag or label to suit your loss prevention needs, see here, or contact our team directly for further advice.

07/22/2009/20/24

Retail shrink hits a $61.7 billion high Page 5

Retail shrink has hit an all-time high, with the 2020 National Retail Security Survey noting it cost the sector $61.7 billion in 2019, up from $50.6 billion the year prior, and accounting for 1.62 per cent of the retail industry’s bottom line.

This year’s report by the National Retail Federation found shrink continues to be a major issue for the nation’s retailers, with the sector challenged by risks that extend from cybercriminals to shoplifters return fraud and more.

Here’s an insight into the latest findings…

Shrink rate rising

This industry’s high shrink value is driven by an increase in the average shrink rate, with more and more retailers recording a shrink rate above 3 per cent. The report found in 2019:

2 per cent of retailers reported a shrink rate of 3 per cent or higher
(compared to just 10.9 per cent in 2018)

1 per cent reported a shrink rate between 2 per cent and 2.99 per cent
(compared to 14.5 per cent in 2018)

2 per cent reported a shrink rate between 1.5 per cent and 1.99 per cent
(compared to 10.9 per cent in 2018)

6 per cent reported a shrink rate between 1.25 per cent and 1.49 per cent
(compared to 10.9 per cent in 2018)

7 per cent reported a shrink rate between 1 per cent and 1.24 per cent
(compared to 3.4 per cent in 2018)

7 per cent reported a shrink rate between 0.5 per cent and 0.99 per cent
(compared to 21.8 per cent in 2018)

6 per cent reported a shrink rate of 0.49 per cent and below
(compared to 27.3 per cent in 2018)

Extrapolated out, that means retailers’ average shrink rate has now increased to 1.62 per cent from 1.38 per cent in 2018 and is now the highest percentage of all time.

“Between an increase in incidents and new ways to steal, shrink is at an all-time high,” NRF Vice President for Research Development and Industry Analysis Mark Mathews said.

“Loss prevention experts are facing unprecedented challenges from individual shoplifters to organized gangs to highly skilled cybercriminals. Retailers are responding with both traditional methods and the latest technology, but this is an ongoing challenge that can only be won with the support of lawmakers and law enforcement.”

Shoplifting on the rise

After a slight dip in 2018, last year shoplifting began to rise again, but it was nowhere near the highs of previous years.

In 2019, retailers reported an average of 688.8 apprehensions, 417.5 prosecutions and 389.7 civil demands. This compared to an average of 509.4 apprehensions in 2018, 369.7 prosecutions, and 369.8 civil demands. In 2015, however, there was an average of 3,322.7 apprehensions, 1,934.6 prosecutions, and 2,201.4 civil demands.

Meanwhile, the average dollar loss per incident declined sharply to $270.6 compared to $546.67 per incident in 2018.

“Also declining is the percentage of those with an average dollar loss that exceeds $1,000, after spiking to nearly 15 per cent in last year’s survey,” the report notes.

“The 4.3 per cent of retailers who experienced a four-figure loss is about on par with the rate in FY 2015. Almost four in 10 retailers had an average loss of less than $125, and about two-thirds had losses of less than $300.”

Dishonest employees

Dishonest employees also showed signs of increasing in number compared to 2018, but again there were far fewer than years like 2015.

In 2019, retailers reported on average 560 apprehensions of dishonest employees, 558.6 terminations, 156 prosecutions, and 283.4 civil demands. This compared to 322.6 apprehensions in 2018, 335 apprehensions, 91.3 prosecutions, and 159.8 civil demands.

In 2015, however, there were on average 865.3 apprehensions of dishonest employees, 552.7 terminations, 158.3 prosecutions, and 241.5 civil demands.

The average dollar loss per dishonest employee was $1,139.32, which is down slightly from FY2018 when it equalled $1,264.10.

Areas of concern

Outlining where their loss prevention priority lies, many retailers reported increased concern over issues like return fraud, cyber-crime and organized retail crime.

The report found in the past five years:

29 per cent of retailers viewed e-commerce crime as much more of a priority

5 per cent saw organized retail crime as much more of priority

5 per cent viewed data breaches as much more of a priority

3 per cent had been increasingly focussed on internal theft

3 per cent viewed return fraud as much more of a priority

About the report

The NRF National Retail Security Survey is now in its 29^th year and can be viewed in full here.

Meanwhile, you can learn more about strategies to minimize shoplifting and loss here or speak with our team directly for the latest advice on using retail security tags to mitigate theft.

07/17/2009/20/24

The five layers of loss prevention Page 5

Whether your store is combating shoplifting, employee theft or miscellaneous loss in the supply chain and administration, preventing retail shrink always involves a multi-pronged approach.

By looking at this approach as layered, a retail outlet can mitigate theft, address errors and then identify areas which need greater attention.

So, working our way from the product level to the greater retail outlet, here’s an insight into the five layers of loss prevention.

Layer 1 – Product protection

Shoplifting consistently accounts for the greatest volume of retail loss, and the best way to mitigate this theft is at a product-based level.

That’s where strategies like electronic article surveillance (encompassing security tags, labels and antenna) and other strategies like lockable displays come in, as they protect individual items which are likely to be prone to theft.

The balance here has to be carefully navigated, treading a fine line between security and an appealing environment. That means products should be protected appropriately, using the right label or tag for the job, and the right type of lockable displays that still encourage customer interaction.

Meanwhile, EAS isn’t just something retailers can set and forget. Every now and then the system should be assessed to ensure the right strength tags are in use and are being correctly applied.

Layer 2 – Display and layout

The five layers of retail loss prevention

The physical layout and lighting of a store, along with how a retailer displays items plays a role in how successfully thieves can circumvent security and even how likely a retail outlet is to be targeted for theft.

Stores should be well-lit to eliminate dark, discreet places, have a line of sight from the POS across the floor, and be kept neat and tidy.

A tidy, organized retail outlet helps staff better monitor stock, while this line of sight from the POS helps them keep a watchful eye on the floor.

Layer 3 – Staff and training

Solid hiring procedures and consistent staff training work to reduce both shoplifting and employee theft. All staff should be screened prior to induction and should then be trained consistently in what to watch out for when it comes to shoplifting.

Even simple customer service protocols like meeting and greeting customers have been shown to reduce instances of theft, while staff who are valued and respected are far less likely to steal from an employer.

Good training and procedure like inventory counting and stock reconciliation also help to reduce instances of administrative error while identifying any issues in the supply chain.

Layer 4 – Surveillance

Surveillance, including CCTV and the appointment of loss prevention professionals, helps protect a retail outlet at a store-based level. This level of loss prevention deters would-be thieves from committing a crime and also helps identify shoplifting or theft that’s occurring.

Importantly, it can also be useful in identifying trends, including areas of a store which might be more prone to shoplifting and people acting suspiciously prior to a possible theft.

Layer 5 – Analytics

Analytics like traffic counting, inventory management, staff rosters, and sales records paint a detailed picture of what’s going on within a store.

These can then be used to identify times when a theft is most likely to occur, products which most frequently go missing, or shifts when cash registers fall short or excessive returns are made.

This data is critical in determining where loss prevention strategies need to be tightened up within a store.

Then retailers can work back through the levels of loss prevention to further protect their store.

For further tips on improving your retail security, see here, or go directly to our security labels and security tags to protect your store at a product-based level.

07/06/2009/20/24

America’s top retailers revealed Page 5

The National Retail Federation has released its annual list of the nation’s top 100 retailers, noting those who were dominant before Covid-19 are more dominant now, while those who were struggling continue to grow weaker.

So, who made the top 10 in terms of US retailers, and more importantly what are they doing right in an era of unprecedented change?

No 1 Walmart

After topping the global retailers’ list in March, it comes as little surprise that Walmart continues to outperform all the competition nationally.

The NRF stated if any retailer were to come out of the COVID-19 crisis with an enhanced reputation, “it could be Walmart, with its variety of store formats and a robust digital commerce business already in place prior to the pandemic”.

“Walmart’s total US sales rose at least 10 per cent once the coronavirus began to spread. Even as foot traffic began to drop in stores, Walmart’s shoppers were spending 16.5 per cent more on each trip or order. Online sales soared 74 per cent in the first quarter,” the NRF noted.

“The company invested heavily in keeping its stores and ecommerce business open, and says it spent about $900 million to cover such things as pay hikes for warehouse workers, bonuses for stores associates and hiring approximately 235,000 new employees for its stores.

“Money was also spent disinfecting stores, equipping associates with gloves and masks, and testing associates for the virus and antibodies.”

No 2- Amazon

With its unparalleled commitment to e-commerce, Amazon was ideally positioned to weather the Covid-19 storm, and this year that saw them leapfrog Kroger to assume second position on the Top 100 list.

“Shoppers helped push up Amazon’s revenues 26 per cent in the first quarter of this year,” the NRF explained.

“Those same shoppers also rated Amazon highest when asked which food retailer they had the “most favorable” opinion of, with regard to its response to Covid-19. Amazon finished ahead of Costco, Walmart, Publix and Kroger in the poll, conducted in early May by consumer market research firm Magid.”

No 3 – Kroger

Grocery retailer Kroger had the unique advantage of being one of the essential retailers that were not required to shut down during Covid-19. But still it played this advantage to maximum effect, harnessing the power of online sales, hiring a supplementary workforce of 100,000 and performing well under pressure.

The NRF explains in late May, they also launched further initiatives including “tele nutrition” services.

“Operated by Kroger Health, the service builds on the company’s “food as medicine” platform, offering virtual consultations with nutritionists, support and plans for individuals and families, and management of food-related health coverage.”

No 4 – Costco

With its loyal legion of followers, Costco also made an expected appearance in the top 10, settling in at fourth position.

In addition to improving customer service, Costco widened its offering this year through the acquisition of a furniture deliverer and installer. This is seen as a way for them to better embrace e-commerce in the period ahead.

No 5 – Walgreens

In fifth position is Walgreens who managed to ward off e-commerce pressure and a tightened bottom line due to declining non-prescription sales.

Meanwhile, this US retailer is quietly expanding its international reach after acquiring Switzerland-based Boots Alliance in 2014.

No 6 – HomeDepot

With more and more people focused on the home front, Home Depot was another well-positioned retailer at the outset of Covid-19.

As a result, their revenues increased 7.1 per cent in the first fiscal quarter of the year. That bottom line was later impacted by increased staffing costs and bonus pay to employees working through the pandemic.

No 7 – CVS

The NRF notes CVS experienced strong sales in recent months due to a model that has seen them pick up other pharmaceutical outlets.

Five months ago, they acquired Target’s pharmacies, then more recently purchased pharmacy operations in 110 supermarkets owned by Schnucks.

No 8 – Target

In many ways Target nailed its retail offering during Covid-19 by carefully thinking through what products consumers would need and when they would need them.

“Early in March it earmarked about $500 million to be used through July 1 on extra pay for workers and higher operating costs during the crisis,” the NRF explains.

“The company was ready when groceries and cleaning supplies went flying off the shelves early in the crisis. Then Target re-loaded and had beauty products, home goods and similar merchandise fully stocked when stimulus checks arrived.”

No 9 – Lowes

Lowes was another beneficiary of changed circumstances due to people staying home.

Like HomeDepot, it was considered an essential retailer and stayed open throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns. In addition, Lowe’s implemented curbside pickup to expand its e-commerce abilities, and digital sales increased 80 per cent

As a result, Lowe’s beat expectations on both revenues and earnings in this year’s first quarter.

No 10 – Albertsons Companies

As the largest North American supermarket chain after Kroger, Alberstons Companies was also well-positioned to ride the wave of Covid-19, and upped the ante with a focus on online ordering.

Their brand encompasses Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs.

You can see the full list of the NRF’s Top 100 retailers here.

07/01/2009/20/24

Five things you need to know about security tag pins Page 5

When most people consider the highly-successful loss prevention strategy that is security tags, their mind turns to technology. After all these are the nifty little loss prevention tools that actively alert retail staff to a theft while it’s occurring.

While the tag may accommodate the tech side of things, one critical component of any security tag is the pin. This essential element of a security tag locks the tag to a product and has a major impact on whether your tag can be illicitly removed.

So without further ado let’s look at five things you need to know about security tag pins.

What are security tag pins?

Security tags comprise three important elements

The actual tag – which houses a transmitter that remains in constant contact with an EAS antenna. (This is the element that causes an alarm to sound when an item is leaving the store during a theft.)

The lock – which is also housed in the tag (these come in different magnetic strengths. SuperLock is considered the minimum strength required)

The pin – which essentially comprises a pin head and pin shaft. The pin head sits on one side of product, and the pin shaft passes through the item before locking securely into the magnetic lock of the security tag. The pin and tag can then only be separated using a detacher, so in a nutshell, the pin’s job is to secure a tag to an item.

So here’s what you need to consider…

Pinhead size

5 things you need to know about security tag pins

Pins are available with different pinhead sizes which range from small to large. The larger the pinhead size the harder it is to force through a product without causing significant damage.

Pro tip: if your retail outlet is finding complete tags including pinheads on the floor or secreted in the change room, it is likely due to a small pinhead being forced through a product.

Pinhead shape

Just as pinheads come in different sizes they also come in different shapes. The most secure sizes and shapes are those which directly correspond with the size and shape of the security tag. In addition, round tags and corresponding pinheads offer less surface area so are harder to prise apart.

Pro tip: If your retail outlet finds tags and pinheads illicitly removed but separated, chances are it’s because:

a) the magnetic lock isn’t strong enough and you need to upgrade to SuperLock, HyperLock or Multi-polar, or

b) shoplifters are managing to prise these apart due to the shape and surface area of the pinhead in relation to the tag.

Pin texture

Pinheads also come with either smooth shafts or grooved shafts, and in this case the product you’re protecting may impact the option you choose.

For example, sheer fabrics or products like bras may snag on grooved pin shafts, but on heavier fabrics the grooves assist with securing the pin into the locking mechanism.

Pro tip: There are usually three grooves on grooved pins to ensure you can lock the pin into the tag at a suitable position.

Pin length

Although they don’t vary greatly, pins are also available in different lengths including 15mm, 16mm and 17mm.

Pro tip: Longer pinheads are good for bulky materials like denim as that extra length may be beneficial.

Ink pinheads

In addition to different shapes, sizes and lengths, pins are also available with benefit denial features like ink dye. These are designed to stop shoplifters attempting to remove a tag and they work by releasing ink into a product if the tag is tampered with.

Effectively this ruins the product, so trying to remove the tag and then steal an item denies shoplifters any benefit.

Pro tip: If tag tampering is a major issue in your store and larger pinheads or corresponding shapes aren’t enough to deter thieves from attempting to remove a tag, ink tags can be beneficial.

You can shop our comprehensive range of security tag pins here.

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